UK resident charged with attempted arson at airport

A resident of the United Kingdom was remanded in custody until she makes full restitution for damaging a door at the Norman Manley International Airport last month.

Lisa Hancock is charged for attempted arson, malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct, following an incident at the Kingston-based airport on September 30. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday that Hancock arrived in the island and objected to submitting a declaration form to gain landing.

She was detained in a room by immigration officers, who informed her that she would spend the night there. It is alleged that Hancock used a lighter to ignite a sheet spread that was in the room and also lit the door. The cost of the damages, as estimated by the airport, is said to be $247,000. Hancock pleaded not guilty to the charges and her attorney-at-law Iqbal Cheverria submitted that his client is minded to compensate the complainant.

Cheverria made a request to Parish Judge Venise Blackstock-Murray that his client be admitted to bail and that her relative be accepted as surety. However, the judge did not agree with the lawyer's submission.

"I will not be offering her bail as she has no landing in Jamaica. It would make no sense to offer her bail," the judge reasoned. Hancock was then remanded in custody until today, when it is expected that payments will be made.

Another passenger, George Hobbs, who arrived with Hancock, was also charged with attempted arson. He was freed of the criminal charges after the prosecution indicated that it was unable to mount a liable case against him.